Fashion at Euro 2012: Of flashing underwear and stylish team kits

Turns out that flashing underwear is not just a wardrobe malfunction or a teenage style statement- it’s a cause for punishment!

Picture courtesy: AP

So Danish footballer Nicklas Bendtner flashed his underwear last week before millions of people, and the UEFA police is now after him. For flashing an unauthorised brand.

Paddy Power (which appeared on Nicklas’s underwear) is a betting company. According to UEFA rules, no player’s kit can include or endorse brands not approved by the football body. So Nicklas might be in trouble for ambush marketing.

More absurdly, there’s actually a rule on football players’ underwear. It states:

“If undershorts are worn, they must be of the same main color as the shorts.”

This just means one thing to me- a football association decides your underwear!

BTW, footballers do crazy things on the field, from illegal diving to taking their jerseys off, so baring one’s undies isn’t something new.

Team jerseys- analysed!

If you want to show support for your team, you can buy the team jerseys if you know who their sponsor is. Adidas has designed the jerseys for Spain, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Greece and Ukraine, while Nike has done for a host of nations France, Portugal, Croatia, Netherlands and Poland.

And if you’re football-challenged like I am, just buy the jersey that looks good. Here are my picks:

Boldest colour

The Dutch team’s bright orange. Also liked the deep red of the Spain jersey.

Most elegant kit

The French kit, no doubt. I love the combo of gold accents and classic blue.

Most confusing

The red and white chessboard on the Croatian jersey reminds me of the black-and-white chequered flag of a Formula One race.

Best white uniform

Germany- three thin diagonal stripes. Cool!

Where to buy

Spain and Germany jerseys are available at Adidas stores across the country. Nike country jerseys are available in Nike stores and on Myntra.com.